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. 2011:2:52.
doi: 10.4103/2152-7806.80117. Epub 2011 Apr 28.

Virtual reality training in neurosurgery: Review of current status and future applications

Ali Alaraj  1 , Michael G Lemole, Joshua H Finkle, Rachel Yudkowsky, Adam Wallace, Cristian Luciano, P Pat Banerjee, Silvio H Rizzi, Fady T Charbel
Affiliations

Virtual reality training in neurosurgery: Review of current status and future applications

Ali Alaraj et al. Surg Neurol Int. 2011.

Abstract

Background: Over years, surgical training is changing and years of tradition are being challenged by legal and ethical concerns for patient safety, work hour restrictions, and the cost of operating room time. Surgical simulation and skill training offer an opportunity to teach and practice advanced techniques before attempting them on patients. Simulation training can be as straightforward as using real instruments and video equipment to manipulate simulated "tissue" in a box trainer. More advanced virtual reality (VR) simulators are now available and ready for widespread use. Early systems have demonstrated their effectiveness and discriminative ability. Newer systems enable the development of comprehensive curricula and full procedural simulations.

Methods: A PubMed review of the literature was performed for the MESH words "Virtual reality, "Augmented Reality", "Simulation", "Training", and "Neurosurgery". Relevant articles were retrieved and reviewed. A review of the literature was performed for the history, current status of VR simulation in neurosurgery.

Results: Surgical organizations are calling for methods to ensure the maintenance of skills, advance surgical training, and credential surgeons as technically competent. The number of published literature discussing the application of VR simulation in neurosurgery training has evolved over the last decade from data visualization, including stereoscopic evaluation to more complex augmented reality models. With the revolution of computational analysis abilities, fully immersive VR models are currently available in neurosurgery training. Ventriculostomy catheters insertion, endoscopic and endovascular simulations are used in neurosurgical residency training centers across the world. Recent studies have shown the coloration of proficiency with those simulators and levels of experience in the real world.

Conclusion: Fully immersive technology is starting to be applied to the practice of neurosurgery. In the near future, detailed VR neurosurgical modules will evolve to be an essential part of the curriculum of the training of neurosurgeons.

Keywords: Haptics; simulation; training; virtual reality.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
A user selected a cutting plane of a mannequin head with the props interface showing the corresponding MRI image cuts part of preoperative surgical planning.[38] Permission for use obtained by IOS Press BV
Figure 2
Figure 2
Computerized Tomography/ Magnetic Resonance Imaging/ Magnetic Resonance Angiography volume complex before (a) and after (b) registration for the Virtual Workbench. The registration landmarks can be seen as lines crossing the volume left to right.[30] Figure appears on page 7. Permission for use obtained by IEEE Intellectual Property Rights Office
Figure 3
Figure 3
Augmented Reality visualization of a 3D vascular model with X-ray fluoroscopy. On the virtual screen, intraoperative live video images from X-ray fluoroscopy are displayed by texture mapping. The positions and orientations of all the objects and the viewpoint are registered using fiducial markers.[57] Figure appears on page 240. Permission for use obtained by John Wiley and Sons Inc. Permissions Dept
Figure 4
Figure 4
Photograph showing the ImmersiveTouch™ system in operation.[13] Figure appears on page 517. Permission for use obtained by The Journal of Neurosurgery, Permissions
Figure 5
Figure 5
Photograph demonstrating catheter insertion in the ImmersiveTouch system.[13] Figure appears on page 517. Permission for use obtained by The Journal of Neurosurgery, Permissions
Figure 6
Figure 6
Overview of haptic and visual interaction for simulation of PMMA injection using CyberGrasp device.[17] Figure appears on page 98. Permission for use obtained by IOS Press BV
Figure 7
Figure 7
(a) Vascular Intervention System Training simulator (VIST). (b) Simulated aortic arch angiogram screen capture with right internal carotid artery stenosis circled for clarification. (c) Close-up of circled lesion.[40] Figure appears on page 1119. Permission for use obtained by Elsevier Ltd. Global Rights Department
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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